Passport Question - Empress to Bermuda

[KatWag]

A coworker just told me her boyfriend can't find his passport. They are booked to leave from Philly in October - no way to get it in time unless he goes and stands in line.

 

If it were my DH, he'd be standing in line to get the passport in Philly. (Whether he liked it or not.) :rolleyes:

 

But her boyfriend isn't willing to do that and insists he was told he can use a birth certificate.

 

Has anyone done that recently? I've read many stories of folks getting turned away at the ship.

 

Thanks,

 

Kathy

[wingnutphl]

He can still get on with a BC as long as it is one with a raised seal and not issued from the hospital. I agree with you, his butt would be down there getting a new one if it were me.

 

I see we are neighbors!!! :D

[crusinmama06]

Birth certificates are perfectly acceptable. If you heard of people being "turned away from the ship" then you were misinformed. The new passport regulations for sea travel haven't gone through yet and the deadline keeps getting pushed.

 

We just (3 weeks ago) traveled with another family on a cruise. We had passports, they didn't. All is fine.

 

And when you check in online, you click "birth certificate" instead of passport.

 

No worries for your friends. :D

[gnparend]

Until the end of 2007 you can use a certfied Birth Certificate. If it were me I'd like to know what happend to my PP. I keep mine in a safe file.

[Sue L]

Just make sure the birth certificate is the certified one and not the cute one from the hospital and he is good to go.

[libra22]

Yes you can use the birth certificate with raised seal, but here's the catch. Should something happen where you need to fly back to the U.S. you must have a passport, or you will be denied entry to U.S.

 

Good Luck and have a great trip!!

[negc]

Yes you can use the birth certificate with raised seal, but here's the catch. Should something happen where you need to fly back to the U.S. you must have a passport, or you will be denied entry to U.S.

This is incorrect! You won't be denied re-entry into the US if you do not have a passport, but you will have to undergo an alternative and more intensive screening to verify your citizenship status. Do encourage him toget a passport as soon as possible and make it easier in the future when he wishes to travel out of the country but don't worry that he will suddenly become a "man without a country" should something happen during his cruise. It won't happen and anyone who tells you otherwise is misinformed or using unnecessary scare tactics.:rolleyes:

[RetireeWannabee]

He could expedite a renewal and have it in time.

 

I would be frightened to lose something like that.

[KatWag]

Thanks, everyone.

 

I'll pass the advice along.

 

Wingnut - we sure are neighbors. I took the train from Ambler station (I work downtown) just this morning. Small world. :)